Join us this March at SXSW for the Startup & Tech Sectors Track and learn from entrepreneurs, founders, and funders, as well as established businesses, from all over the world.

Hear from speakers in industries ranging from blockchain and venture capital to mobility and security. During the Startup & Tech Sectors Track don’t miss Director of Digital Currencies at MIT Neha Narula, speak on the possibility of a new financial system and the cutting edge research being done at MIT to build the future of money in the session Cryptocurrencies: A New Future for Money. Learn about the shared economy from Airbnb’s Global Head of Trust & Risk Management Nick Shapiro, and get inspired by the life-changing work Apple’s Director of Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives Sarah Herrlinger is doing to improve accessibility in tech for the disabled.

According to SXSW Programmer Dhinuka Perera, “This year’s programming within the Startup & Tech Sectors Track really showcases how a number of industries are continuing to change rapidly and we need to all pay attention to the ramifications. From impact investing to game-changing services that breakdown traditional models, these sessions and speakers are looking towards the future with a human-centered lens.”

Dive deeper into the Startup & Tech Sectors Track at the Hilton from March 9-15 during SXSW Convergence programming. SXSW Convergence programming features a range of topics that straddle the cultural and technological intersection at the heart of SXSW with primary access granted to all SXSW Badges.

Startup & Tech Sectors Session Highlights

ICO Alternative Financing for Startups

Speakers: Emmie Chang (Superbloom)

Initial coin offerings, also known as token sales, are crowd sales that are raising hundreds of millions of dollars for new technology startups. How does this mechanism serve as a new and alternative form of financing to startups to angel investing and venture and what are the ramifications? In this session, we will review some basic mechanisms of token sales companies, best practices to consider this type of financing, and answer questions for anyone interested in investing or launching an ICO.

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How to Build a Company Where the Best Ideas Win Out

Speakers: Ray Dalio (Bridgewater Associates)

Ray Dalio, the bestselling author of Principles and one of the most successful investors and entrepreneurs of our time, discusses the unique principles that helped him build his company (Bridgewater Associates) from his two bedroom apartment to the fifth most important private company in the U.S. and made him one of the 100 richest people in the world. Hear him describe “a believability-weighted idea meritocracy” in which people strive for “meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical truth and radical transparency.” He’ll also explain the innovative technologies his firm uses to make sure that the best ideas win out.

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Swim with a Shark: Rise & Grind to Maximize Your Day

Speakers: Daymond John (The Shark Group)

Daymond John is excited to return to the SXSW stage to share the habits, routines, and winning secrets of some of today’s most successful individuals. In what began as a personal journey for self-improvement, Daymond realized that we all get the same 1440 minutes in every day. What matters is how we use them.

Daymond will reveal how people like music rock legend Carlos Santana, Oscar and Tony Award Winning actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones, mixed martial arts champion Kyle Maynard, and a dozen others get the most out of their 24-7. And he’ll talk about how his own rise and grind mindset helped him overcome the obstacles he has faced in life – and ultimately fueled his success.

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No Legacy Software Here: The Cannabis Tech Stack

Prohibition has hindered technological innovation in the cannabis industry over the last century. Now that prohibition is ending on an international scale, startups are fueling rapid growth and innovation. Most industries are hampered down by legacy technology and outdated ideas, but the cannabis industry is starting with a clean slate. In this discussion, we will cover how tech startups are at the forefront of this rapidly changing industry.

Crossover Track Recommendations

Explore topics outside of your focus area and learn from SXSW sessions across all 24 Tracks of Conference programming. These recommended sessions are outside of the Startup & Tech Sectors Track but will interest any SXSW attendee.

Purchase your SXSW Badge and reserve your hotel today to experience these sessions along with 10 days of screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and more this March 9-18 in Austin, TX. Take the Tracks Quiz to discover which badge will suit your needs.